Thamesmead is a huge, sprawling housing estate that is undergoing a multimillion pound regeneration programme, including a large new community centre and 25,000 new homes. In addition, the area will see a new library, cinema, shops, and more new public spaces - completely transforming a place that was known as the concrete backdrop to A Clockwork Orange.
Thamesmead's reputation can be somewhat summarised by the fact that it was the filming location for A Clockwork Orange, but it is shedding this as the multimillion-pound regeneration of the area takes place, which includes creating more local amenities and public spaces - setting the scene for a significantly strengthened community feel.
The dystopian sense some people have of the Brutalist estate does not translate into high crime figures. Thamesmead and the entire surrounding area have an average crime rating from the Met police. In Thamesmead Moorings ward, the 2014/2015 crime rate was somewhat lower than the overall London crime rate, and the violence against the person rate was about the same as the London rate - however, the rate of deliberate fires per 1,000 people is an outlier and three times the London rate. In Thamesmead East, the 2014/2015 crime rate was significantly low for London, while the violence rate was somewhat low, and the deliberate fires rate was a little high.
Parking is generally not an issue in this area. The rate of car ownership in this area is about the same as the rate for London as a whole.
There's just a handful of pubs and restaurants - this isn't really a place with nightlife. Transport links are okay, but not particularly for late-night travel. This is, however, set to improve with the regeneration project.
Thamesmead is a large, Brutalist housing estate that is being regenerated - there will be 25,000 new homes on site, taking the place of the concrete towers. Thamesmead offers fairly good access to green and open space, including Birchmere Park, Crossway Park, and Southmere Park, as well as the Thames footpath. There are good schools in the area. There's a high percentage of residents who are children aged 0-15 in the area - closer to 30% than London's overall 20%.
While Thamesmead is a large Brutalist housing estate, it is being regenerated, and the concrete blocks replaced by new buildings. There's fairly good access to green and open space in Thamesmead, including Birchmere Park, Crossway Park, and Southmere Park, as well as the Thames footpath.
Thamesmead does not have its own station. Abbey Wood is nearest, in Zone 4, and has several trains per hour to Cannon Street, London Bridge, or Charing Cross that take around half an hour. Crossrail, one of the driving forces behind Abbey Wood's regeneration plans, will bring the commute to Central London down to 25 minutes, and the trip to Heathrow to 51 minutes. The area is also fairly well-served by local buses.